OTHELLO - After a strong season the Othello Huskies opened up state playoff action against an old foe.

Playing host to fellow Central Washington Athletic Conference (CWAC) members Ellensburg. Othello had beaten twice already this season in league play. The Huskies found that playing in the Class 2A state tournament first round changed the rhythm and mojo of the two teams when it mattered most.

In the end the visiting Bulldogs' defensive effort and a disallowed goal for Othello (14-6) led to a shock 1-0 Bulldogs' upset to advance to the state quarterfinals and leave Othello behind wondering what happened.

It is the second consecutive season where the CWAC regular season and district champion was eliminated at home in the round of 16 of state, after Quincy's premature exit last season.

Ellensburg scored the game's only goal with a penalty kick in the 36th minute after an Othello defender was called for a push in the box.

"It wasn't a good call on that penalty," Othello head coach Bernie Garza said. "Some of their players we even heard saying 'we will take that.' It wasn't a clear take down, there was just some contact and the guy just called it."

Earlier, Othello's Ivan Lopez was knocked down in front of the Bulldog's goal mouth but no penalty was called on a play where contact was clearly evident against the Huskie.

"If we would have had that PK called it would have changed everything," Garza said. 

Both teams had to play in longer grass which at times effected the pace on some through balls which slowed down some promising attacks for Othello.

"I saw that we had nine shots and they had two and they scored a penalty kick so they really only had one," Garza said. "We were a step behind on our passes and our shots. It wasn't a bad performance it was just Ellensburg's strategy to play defensively and betting on going to a shootout."

In the second half the game opened up and both teams had some solid opportunities with Ellensburg thwarting everything Othello threw at them.

"Defensively they did what was asked of them and were a step ahead to clear the ball or block a shot at the right time," Garza said of Ellensburg. "The goalie made some nice saves and they were always in the right spot. Toward the end we had a couple chances and the goalie makes the save. They did the little things right. and were rarely out of position."

In the waning moments it appeared Othello had tied things up when a shot was taken and the Bulldogs' goaltender secured the ball and began to waste time. Huskie defender Octavio Gonzales took advantage of the goaltender tossing the ball in the air, charged and headed the ball away without making contact, dribbled the ball in and scored as his teammates celebrated madly.

Moments later however the goal was disallowed.

According to Garza he was not given an explanation for the goal to be disallowed and attempted to protest the result but the officials left the field quickly and were not available for any discussion.

"I still followed procedures and filed a protest," Garza said. "More than likely it is going to stand and Othello's season's over."

Othello ended up outshooting Ellensburg 15-9.

"We didn't take advantage of our opportunities," Garza said. "Ellensburg beat us today, but we can still show we are co-league and district champs. We just wanted to advance further."